New thermostat for the Charger today

[wwillson]

The Charger coolant has been running about 15-20°F cooler than normal for a few weeks and finally threw a P0128 code, which is "coolant did not reach operating temperature quickly enough". I put a new thermostat in today and the temp is right back up where it should be. I believe the OEM thermostat is 205°F. The original thermostat failed at about 65,000 miles.

This has to be the easiest thermostat to change in the history of the automotive world. From start to finish was 13 minutes. Amazing.

Nice clean intake!

 

[KGMtech]

Nice when something goes well when wrenching.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Yep. Always nice when things go easy. Plastic housing; maybe less than 10 #ft of torque? Coulda done it with your fingers...

 

[wwillson]

Plastic housing; maybe less than 10 #ft of torque?

Yeah, not much, there isn't any reason to lean on it.

 

[Mazomopar]

If you are bored some day and want to invest another 30 minutes and a few extra bucks, you can upgrade the composite cross over pipe to metal. You can look at it as either tempting fate or a piece of mind. Motor City mechanic has a nice video. Man, that guy knows his stuff.

 

[wwillson]

If you are bored some day and want to invest another 30 minutes and a few extra bucks, you can upgrade the composite cross over pipe to metal.

Is there a good reason to replace the OEM crossover?

 

[Nick1994]

Years back while it was getting other work done, my mechanic replaced the thermostat on my Grand Cherokee. IIRC, it has 2 thermostats? I think I remember him replacing 2 and thinking that was kind of weird.

I get heat in the winter insanely fast with it.

 

[The Critic]

It looks like your belt got wet with coolant. Belts do not like exposure to coolant, even for a brief amount of time. Next time, remove the belt before doing this job.

 

[Mazomopar]

Is there a good reason to replace the OEM crossover?

More of just a nice up grade. Probably rates somewhere between a cosmetic improvement and a necessity.

 

[wwillson]

More of just a nice up grade. Probably rates somewhere between a cosmetic improvement and a necessity.

Not many people have seen under my hood, so the black plastic cross-over is fine.

 

[Rand]

It looks like your belt got wet with coolant. Belts do not like exposure to coolant, even for a brief amount of time. Next time, remove the belt before doing this job.

why would antifreeze degrade a rubber belt?

 

[MattPersman]

I haven’t seen issues with the plastic cross over pipe. I have seen I think 1 or 2 where the bolts for the Thermostat corroded and broke off in it but not an actual pipe issue

Different shops and areas see different problems no doubt but not sure what would happen in a maintained lower mileage car

 

[dave940]

Did the Dorman aluminum replacement (upgrade?) on my 2015 with 70K miles for both the thermostat and the crossover last week. Was disappointed to find out that they were made in China, hope that some quality control was present wherever Dorman contracted it out. I had the OEM thermostat fail a couple of weeks ago. I retired recently and intend to drive this thing into the ground, so I'm replacing anything not designed to last that long.

 

[dave940]

Is there a good reason to replace the OEM crossover?

The same reason that the "lifetime fill" of tranny fluid, or the plastic oil filter housing, are not to be trusted?

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

The Charger coolant has been running about 15-20°F cooler than normal for a few weeks and finally threw a P0128 code, which is "coolant did not reach operating temperature quickly enough". I put a new thermostat in today and the temp is right back up where it should be. I believe the OEM thermostat is 205°F. The original thermostat failed at about 65,000 miles.

This has to be the easiest thermostat to change in the history of the automotive world. From start to finish was 13 minutes. Amazing.

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Nice clean intake!
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NICE , clean looking engines are a joy to work on compared to the dirt magnets. Looks sweet n clean from here.

 

[wwillson]

NICE , clean looking engines are a joy to work on compared to the dirt magnets. Looks sweet n clean from here.

All of my vehicles go to the car wash about once a quarter and get their engine bays soaped and rinsed. Some people look at me like I have three heads, I guess then think my engine is going to refuse to start. I've been doing this for 30 years and have never had a single problem.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

All of my vehicles go to the car wash about once a quarter and get their engine bays soaped and rinsed. Some people look at me like I have three heads, I guess then think my engine is going to refuse to start. I've been doing this for 30 years and have never had a single problem.

Ha ha ha! Yes sir I know those looks. I have seen so many auto magazine articles try to explain to folks exactly what you are doing is 100% safe unless you flood the alternator or something foolish!

 

[dishdude]

Is that a bleed screw on the top of the housing?

 

[Wrenchturner44]

@ WWilson......consider yourself lucky. This is the thermostat assembly for my Dart.

2013-2023 Mopar Thermostat Housing 05047861AD | Mopar Factory Parts

Thermostat Housing part # 5047861ad Thermostat Housing. OE replacement product. Fits select 2013-2023 Mopar vehicles.

www.moparfactoryparts.com

 

[The Critic]

why would antifreeze degrade a rubber belt?

Residue is not easily removed - seems to cause noise issues.